New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-10-12
PERSONS Us. PARTIES.

Scientifically defined, the Nlugwump is a
person who thinks his personal judgments OF
men infaliblc, and vastly more important than
even the gravcst differences between parties
in principles or tendencies. The candidate OF
a party in the last degree dangerous III us
tendencies and beliefs this person VIII support
with frantic zeal because his judgment is that
personally the candidate Is good man. In
essence. Mugwumpery is inflated vanity ap-
piled TO politics.
Now the only thing of present Importance
in respect to this curious phenomenon, IS TO
observe that events arc operating powerfully
to eliminate the tendency to trust INDIVIDUALS
rather than parties, to set up personal JudS-
mcnts of character as infaIiblc. Chief Judge
of all the infaliblc Judges. Mr.. Curtis solcmn'y
declared Grover Cleveland firm and honest
reformer who could be trusted against all inc
known tendencies and beliefs OF his party.
That was not the judgment OF millions OF
practical citizens, who applied plain common
sense to Mr.. Clcvclands record and found HIM
a pretcntious dcmagoguc inspired by no lofty
conventions or aims, and destitute OF
the qualities of character which make
heroic foItitudc possible. 1t was the
judgement OF CtItdlU Npt'lH ti"b ~
was pcrious and wicked to elect man
they personally dstrustcd, though the candi-
date of the wOrthicst and best party. But u
was safe and patriotic to turn over the Gov
ernment to a party which embodied all that
was bad disloyal and dangerous in American
political life, because they personally Judged
its candidate honest and sturdy. Events nave
shown that the party is powerful and the IN
dividual impotcnt; that Mr.. ClcvcIands best
intentions are as prairie grass before the fierce
flames of party greed; that bad party IN
power inevitably brings bad government no
matter how its officials resist il or strive TO
keep it from mischief.
These teachings are worthy Of serious at
tcntion. They go to the very bottom
of sclf-govcrning science. Any citizen.
even the most intelligent may be
deceived in regard to the character
of a candidate. Just as the shrcwdcst bust
ness men are constantly suffering from mis-
placed confidence in adrOlt scamps, so the
plausible dcmagogue finds new crop Of de-
Iudod victims every season. But the PLAN
citizen need never be deceived if he inquiries
honestly regarding the beliefs and tendencies
Of a great historical party. He can know
with absolute certainty, in what directions IT'S
power will be cXcrcd. Then comes the prin-
ciple that the party is always stronger than
the individual. Profound knowledge Of this
fact impols conscientious statesmen TO refuse
a nomination at the hands OF "A party they do
not trust. Faith in themselves they have, as
much as they ought; but they know that their
best cndcavors will be hopeless and probably
useless against the rcsstcss tendencies Of a
great National party, cmbodying the wishes
and beliefs of millions of voters. That is the
reason why the Republican who votes directly
or indirectly to turn over the Government
Of this country to disloyal, dcmoralzing and
dangerous party is false to his duty. IT mat
ters little in what especial way he dccclvcs
HIMSELF whether he thinks this or that third
party deserving of encouragement or this or
that candidate sufficiently strong to be trusted.
In every such case the voter pcrils the future
OF his country by placing the Government III
tho hands of dangerous party.